Orfeo, the man who invited us to participate in "la comedia" this past summer, invited us to participate in the living nativity. The first "prova" (practice) was to be on Monday the 17th. We showed up at the appointed time (9:00 pm!) and there was the usual chaos associated with any production here in Belforte! Finally, after half an hour of doing nothing but argue they told us to get our robes for the play and to come back on Thursday at 9:00!
So, Thursday there we are and we were about the only ones to show up! There are two sisters who are in high school who are trying to organize things along with Eliza, who was the waitress in the comedy. The sisters were there and maybe one other person. Don Franco told the girls to try one more rehearsal and if no one showed up they would cancel it. We were told to come back Saturday afternoon at 2:00.
I shouldn't even need to tell you that, again, very few people showed up. The man who would play Giuseppe was there, but not his wife who was to play Mary. The angels weren't there and several of the narrators were also absent! By now, we are beginning to think we are the only ones who even care if the play happens or not. It was decided that Don Franco would announce in church that there would be one more rehearsal and if no one showed up the play would be cancelled. (I also want to mention that during Sunday's mass the children all brought the baby Jesus from their families' nativity sets and they were blessed at the end of mass!)
Sunday evening at 5:00 we went for the rehearsal and I guess a lot of people believed him because there was a small crowd at the church when we arrived!! It was a good 45 minutes before they started the rehearsal, but at least it was happening! Our role was that of "la famiglia." I'm not really sure why we were called the family because we were more or less town's people who wandered around the village of Bethlehem while the story was being told. It still seemed like it wouldn't be something to write home about--but here I am, writing home about it!
Christmas Eve at 10:45 we walked down to the church already dressed in our robes. Larry was brave enough to remove his glasses, but I figured I would never make it without mine so I was a modern day town's person!
The room was packed with people getting dressed and it looked like everyone was there!
We wandered around outside to find the piazza turned into the town of Bethlehem! There were several fires lit--one for the blacksmith and two with pots hanging above them. There were shepherds, women washing clothes, and a market with eggs, bread, fruit and cheese for sale.
As the play was getting ready to unfold we were so surprised to have the zampognari arrive. These are bagpipe (zampogna) players that are traditional to Italy. During the Christmas season they go to different towns and villages. I never expected to see any here in Belforte!
The play began with the Annunciation of Mary then followed Mary to the house of Elizabeth, the angel telling Joseph that is was okay to take Mary as his wife, the travel to Bethlehem to register, and finally trying to find a room for the night.
While the story was being read and reenacted, the family wandered around the piazza from market to blacksmith to shepherd's camp. What made it so cool was that the lights in town were turned off so we were a part of the play, but not really a part of the story! There were spotlights on Mary and Joseph as they moved about. At one point, when it was time for Mary and Joseph to register for the census, there was a great commotion as Roman soldiers appeared in town!
The town's people backed up in fear of the soldiers and then followed Mary and Joseph to sign their names in the book. When they arrived at the stable they went in and when they turned around they had a real baby in their arms! I don't know how they did that, but it was great! At that time all of us knelt.
After the play we went to midnight mass. Those of us who were part of the family first went in to change our clothes. Of course, there was standing room only inside the church by the time we got inside. At midnight, the doors opened and the zampognari came in playing the opening song, followed by the soldiers, Mary, Joseph and the angels. It was a very special evening for us.
1 comment:
I always thought you both were a couple of characters. Now you have proved me right. You have become character actors. Just look at those costumes.
San Diego, Dan
Post a Comment